tick tick ticking in my SC

therotman · 01-24-2006, 10:15 AM

I have an 80sc that has a constant ticking sound while in motion that increases in frequency as my speed increases.

I have read all the threads on this forum about ticking and it seems to usually be related to a brown wire with the spedo but I think it is different in my car as I still hear the sound while moving with the ignition off. When I drive along a wall or row of parked cars the sound is louder as it seems to bounce off the wall and sounds like it is coming from the front of the car.

I have been told the brake rotors need to be resurfaced but can't imagine that they could be making this sound-

Any ideas what it could be? I'm going to have the car on a lift tonight to look around.

jfw834 · jfw834's Garage

sure its not a nail or screwhead in your tire clicking as it hits the pavement?

therotman · 01-24-2006, 10:21 AM

I have looked a few times at the tires and have not been able to see anything although honestly have not lifted the car to get a complete look. The tires are bald so if anything it would have to be a screw/bolt that punctured the tire.

ianc · 01-24-2006, 10:55 AM

Adjusted the valves lately?

ianc

therotman · 01-24-2006, 11:09 AM

The motor has a fresh rebulid and then a valve adjustement about 2k miles ago.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

exhaust leak?

carrera1975 · 01-24-2006, 12:28 PM

C V joints...check to see if there is any play back and forth. torn boots are a good give away

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

cv joint or wheel bearing or brakes

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

cv's or wheel bearings..i third that.
ryan

Richard Burns · Richard Burns's Garage

It would seem to be wheel related as the suond bounces back at you off walls. Lift the car and spin each wheel you may get the sound but it could be much quieter than when on the road.

AFCuk · 01-24-2006, 01:09 PM

Hello
try the hand brake cable where it goes into the back of the wheel housing. It could have come out of the slot it fits in.
The cable can rubb on the half shafts and make a ticking noise like you mention
good luck

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

handbrake cable , had that as well on mine
you can even feel it in the handbrake leaver if you put your hand on it while driving...

therotman · 01-24-2006, 02:35 PM

thanks for the input- hopefully I can figure it out in a couple of hours-

baldman · 01-25-2006, 10:52 AM

So did you narrow it down? Inquiring minds want to know!

therotman · 01-25-2006, 11:48 AM

nope- we could not hear anything on the lift. The CV joints all looked good, the bearings were good and the brakes pads have plently of life left.

The tires were in even worse shape than I thought so i'm ordering new ones and will get the rotors resurfaced at that time.

I didn't check the handbrake cable as I didn't know what to look for- is that only on the rear brakes?

carrera1975 · 01-25-2006, 12:01 PM

could it have been steel belts shinning through?

therotman · 01-25-2006, 12:22 PM

there was no steel, but the tire tread was not as deep in the middle and actually curved inwards. it was starting to feather also

JR_NYC · 01-25-2006, 01:20 PM

I'm curious how you had the car moving with the ignition off.

AFCuk · 01-25-2006, 01:40 PM

Yes only the rear brakes. look where the cable goes into the back plate on the wheel hubb. follow the cable and you will see if has come away, Have you tryed pulling up the hand brake? and dose the noise go away? Is the ticking coming from between the front seats?

therotman · 01-25-2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JR_NYC
I'm curious how you had the car moving with the ignition off.

I found an empty road with a slight decline, slowly drove down the road and then turned the ignition off.

The sound is gone! I didn't check last night because we didn't change anything but it's not there anymore. Could it have been a loose lug nut?